Fly Patterns

Adirondack Trout Fishing Update 4/20/12

Good evening fellow fishing nuts. Papa Bear here with an update.NYS guide Rich Garfield, flyfishtheadirondacks.com, just reported in. He spent a day by himself on our river and said he had a fabulous day and yet landed only a few trout. He said it was a strange day in that he started the day with four trout on in the first hour of fishing, one of which he said was a monster. He then had a cold rotten rain move in and things shut down for the next two hours. He was throwing the biggest streamer in the box, always a good idea here early in the year, and after that encouraging start he could not induce any more strikes.  Now the weather cleared and the sun even made a brief appearance and Rich decided to try a small nymph as David had done the week before with me. Success was swift and the fish were nice to very nice to down right nasty. Rich said the last fish was an absolute monster that basically owned him and then released HIM. lol. I know the feeling!!! Rich is one of the best fly fishermen I have ever met and I know just how he felt. He said the worst thing was that he never could turn it enough to see just how big it was. He hooked that fish about 100 yards from my stream side encampment. The fly of the day was a #12 prince nymph. Rich said that when the sun came out a decent hatch of Hendricksons were coming off. He also said that streams across the entire region were getting great but this weekends forecast is going to put and end to this fantasy with heavy, cold rain and potentially heavy snow!!! How do you like them Adirondacks now it you are up there now. As I said in one of my recent posts you better be ready for extreme weather here this time of year. Okay that’s my post for tonight.

Mid-April Fishing Report – Excellent conditions at Adirondack Retreats!

UPDATE: Pictures posted here: http://www.papabearoutdoors.com/2012/04/april-playmates/

It’s April 12, and we just got word from Dave the featured fly fishing guide for Papa Bear’s Outdoors that the river is in perfect condition right now for fly fishing. Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout in the 15-21″ range were caught and released ALL DAY today on weighted Prince and Hare’s Ear nymphs.

Pictures will be posted as soon as they are available. Check back soon and Tight Lines!

Fishing report – early April northern Adirondacks

UPDATE: Pictures posted here: http://www.papabearoutdoors.com/2012/04/april-playmates/

The updates from Papa Bear’s Outdoors just came in, and the past few days have been productive. The water levels are a bit low and running an average of 42 degrees, but the impending storms will change that.

Several Brown and brook trout have been caught in the 13-19″ range. Pictures will be up in a few days.

Fly fishermen using streamers and spin fishermen have done ok… But the hot pattern right now is a small stonefly imitation. Black and Amber varieties are both working well.

More updates and pictures to come soon.

Fishing report: Sculpin pattern lights up Western Virginia

Late last week I had the opportunity to do some fly fishing out in the wilderness of beautiful Western Virginia with some guys that hold an annual week long trip this time of year – and being from the foothills of the Adirondacks in Upstate NY and fishing these trout waters for the first time In a foreign land, was excited to make my debut.

It’s no secret that the Bullpasture, Cowpasture, and Jackson River systems are heavily trafficked this time of year, and those were the streams of focus for the group I was with. Due to a work commitment, I could only fish for one day… But it was productive and a great introduction for me to the trout streams of the George Washington National Forest.

All told, 6 brown, brook, and rainbow trout between 11-13 inches were caught on my 5 weight fly rod for a good day’s fishing. One larger brown inhaled a perfectly placed sculpin pattern but after 5 minutes of playing on heavy current he threw the hook unfortunately. Would have loved a picture of that one.

Here is what I have to share in any case: